RMT investigation concludes: Steve Hedley has no case to answer

On 14 March, 2013 we reported that Steve Hedley, assistant general secretary of the RMT, had resigned from the Socialist Party.

Steve felt it was necessary to resign in order to concentrate on dealing with an allegation of domestic violence which had been made against him. Steve refuted this allegation, which was being investigated by the RMT.

At the time Steve wrote:

"Regarding our conversation earlier the police have dropped the case and I'm currently awaiting the outcome of the RMT investigation.

"I am not in control of when the decision will be made and have been strongly advised against issuing a public statement whilst investigations are ongoing.

"I know this puts the Socialist Party in a difficult position and am therefore resigning my membership.

"I will continue to support TUSC and the NSSN and work constructively with SP comrades."

Following an in-depth investigation the RMT has concluded that there is "no case to answer" against Steve and decided that the union "will not be taking any further action on this matter".

The police had previously investigated and concluded they would be taking no action.

All allegations of violence against women should be taken extremely seriously and investigated thoroughly, in a way that is sympathetic towards the woman making the accusation.

Some have attempted to raise doubts about the RMT's investigation, but no flaws have been drawn to our attention.

Following the RMT's decision, Steve has published a statement explaining events which can be found here:['trigger warning'; contains references to domestic violence]http://stevenhedley.wordpress.com/

Domestic violence is, in the large majority of cases, a crime carried out by men against women, but we recognise that there are some cases of women being violent towards men.

Steve would clearly have preferred not to have to give a public explanation of the events concerned, but has had no choice but to do so given the public allegations that had been made against him.

The Socialist Party will continue to work with Steve on the urgent task of building a mass movement against austerity.